Creative Photography Lighting with a Cracker Box

When it comes to photography you are limited only by your imagination. Seemingly improbable objects can be used to produce images that are breathtaking. Academy of Photography shares an experiment in creative lighting, using something you normally wouldn’t associate with portrait lighting—an empty biscuit box:

To try this experiment yourself, you’ll need a tripod and/or light stand, a wireless trigger and receiver, an external flash, and a long biscuit box (or similar).

Biscuit Box Lighting Gear

The trick is in the biscuit box. Cut out the flaps on one side and then cut them down into thin strips.

Remove the box flaps and cut them into thin strips.

The idea is to tape them to the side (now devoid of flaps).

Tape the strips to the end of the box with gaps in between.

Light will be fired through this slatted end of the box, creating an interesting pattern.

The next step is to set up your flash on a light stand. Place the modified biscuit box over your flash head.

Set your camera to manual mode. Start with a shutter speed of 1/125 of a second and aperture of f/11 or smaller. Leave the ISO at 100.

Set your flash power at around 1/4 to 1/8 of full power. The setup might need a few test shots to perfect.

Once you’re done, the effect will be something like this:

Give this trick a try and share your results with us!

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